East Africa safari…donating clothes and toys along the way?

[Anonymous]

Second hand clothes are the bane of Africa. Rwanda actually outlawed them because they have become such a trash problem.

Please do not bring old clothes to Africa. Or anywhere. Sell them and donate the money to a worthwhile charity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For everyone saying to just donate money-you understand that presumably OP already has the probably hundreds of dollars worth of clothes that she could bring whereas she may not have that money to donate in cash, right?

Are you seriously saying it would be better to do nothing if you can’t do the most perfect thing?

If she has money to travel to a safari then she has enough to donate. OP, why not support local shops by purchasing things from local vendors. Please don’t give them your old clothes.

[Anonymous]

You can bring small goodies to give children. NEW goodies. And only if you try to make a human connection, not just throw from a car, jeez. Pens, pencils, party favors. Don’t even think about filming.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Second hand clothes are the bane of Africa. Rwanda actually outlawed them because they have become such a trash problem.

Please do not bring old clothes to Africa. Or anywhere. Sell them and donate the money to a worthwhile charity.

There is literally zero intersectionality between the used clothes problem in Africa and what OP intends to do.

The used clothes problem in Africa is one of overwhelming volume, and of essentially trash clothes. The used clothes that get sent are sent it massive bales by companies, and the clothes are often dirty, stained, and have holes. Children’s clothes are a rarity,

So yeah, don’t send shipping containers of dirty unusable clothes to Africa. That has ZERO to do with what OP is planning.

More context here:

https://www.greenbiz.com/article/invasion-second-hand-clothes-africa

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You can bring small goodies to give children. NEW goodies. And only if you try to make a human connection, not just throw from a car, jeez. Pens, pencils, party favors. Don’t even think about filming.

Why do they need to be new? What difference does it make if you’re giving away something like matchbox cars? Why do they have to be in a package vs. loose?

I promise you the kids are grateful for whatever you give them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For everyone saying to just donate money-you understand that presumably OP already has the probably hundreds of dollars worth of clothes that she could bring whereas she may not have that money to donate in cash, right?

Are you seriously saying it would be better to do nothing if you can’t do the most perfect thing?

If she has money to travel to a safari then she has enough to donate. OP, why not support local shops by purchasing things from local vendors. Please don’t give them your old clothes.

You don’t know anything about how she is making this trip happen or what OP’s finances are.

[Anonymous]

Holy crap. This is a new low.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For everyone saying to just donate money-you understand that presumably OP already has the probably hundreds of dollars worth of clothes that she could bring whereas she may not have that money to donate in cash, right?

Are you seriously saying it would be better to do nothing if you can’t do the most perfect thing?

The most perfect thing here would be to donate those toys and clothes locally to people in need here who have the same climate and toy culture as your kids. Please don't play Marie Antoniette and show up at Masai Mara with your cast-offs when what they really need are jobs, better infrastructure and better health care.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For everyone saying to just donate money-you understand that presumably OP already has the probably hundreds of dollars worth of clothes that she could bring whereas she may not have that money to donate in cash, right?

Are you seriously saying it would be better to do nothing if you can’t do the most perfect thing?

The most perfect thing here would be to donate those toys and clothes locally to people in need here who have the same climate and toy culture as your kids. Please don't play Marie Antoniette and show up at Masai Mara with your cast-offs when what they really need are jobs, better infrastructure and better health care.

It’s not OP’s job to fix the societal problems of jobs, infrastructure, and health care. Come ON.

There’s nothing wrong with wanting to help the places where OP is visiting rather than donating locally.

[Anonymous]

When I travel to shithole countries I bring all my dirty old clothes and bibles which I hand out.

[Anonymous]

--fin--

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Holy crap. This is a new low.

Really? A new low? You can't possibly think of anything worse? JFC. The op wanted to do a small act of kindness. She's not handing out soiled clothing and broken toys. And if it's donated locally, where's it going to end up? LIKELY AFRICA. In the big bales. If you think for one second that all of your donated stuff gets reused locally, you are wrong. Second hand stores are overfilled with crap, and even if it's nice stuff, there's still a good chance it get sold off to a broker and shipped overseas.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Second hand clothes are the bane of Africa. Rwanda actually outlawed them because they have become such a trash problem.

Please do not bring old clothes to Africa. Or anywhere. Sell them and donate the money to a worthwhile charity.

There is literally zero intersectionality between the used clothes problem in Africa and what OP intends to do.

The used clothes problem in Africa is one of overwhelming volume, and of essentially trash clothes. The used clothes that get sent are sent it massive bales by companies, and the clothes are often dirty, stained, and have holes. Children’s clothes are a rarity,

So yeah, don’t send shipping containers of dirty unusable clothes to Africa. That has ZERO to do with what OP is planning.

More context here:

https://www.greenbiz.com/article/invasion-second-hand-clothes-africa

The intersection would be where OP adds even more old clothes to the existing landfills.

Also, OP, many parents don't like to see their children encouraged to rush tour buses hoping for freebies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For everyone saying to just donate money-you understand that presumably OP already has the probably hundreds of dollars worth of clothes that she could bring whereas she may not have that money to donate in cash, right?

Are you seriously saying it would be better to do nothing if you can’t do the most perfect thing?

If you have money to go on safari, you have money to donate — safari is very expensive.

But most important is that people are suggesting monetary donations because showing up in Africa with your kids’ old clothing is wildly inappropriate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For everyone saying to just donate money-you understand that presumably OP already has the probably hundreds of dollars worth of clothes that she could bring whereas she may not have that money to donate in cash, right?

Are you seriously saying it would be better to do nothing if you can’t do the most perfect thing?

Poor countries don’t need to deal with our trash on top of all their other issues. So, yes, it’s better to “do nothing” than to distribute your trash so you can feel good. If you want to do something helpful, buy less crap, buy quality items and keep them for a long time.